Six people arrested after crowd trouble at West Brom’s FA Cup tie against Wolves

By Sports Desk January 29, 2024

Six individuals have been arrested so far over the disorder at Sunday’s West Brom versus Wolves FA Cup tie, with police vowing further arrests will follow.

Play in the Black Country derby at The Hawthorns was suspended for more than half an hour after trouble flared in the stands and fans spilled onto the pitch.

West Midlands Police detailed the nature of the arrests in an update on Monday, revealing that one person was arrested for brandishing a corner flag as a weapon and two others for assaulting officers.

Chief Inspector Tim Robinson said: “What we saw yesterday was completely unacceptable violence directed at both fans and officers, which sadly led to the suspension of the game.

“No football fan wants to see that. It’s important to stress however that it was very much a minority of fans involved in the trouble, and the vast majority of supporters were a credit to their clubs.

“Our policing operation was very much targeted against those who we know or suspect are involved in football violence, and our priority at all times is keeping people safe.

“A number of officers have been injured, and we have already started the process of reviewing evidence including body worn video and CCTV to ensure that we identify and arrest all of those involved over the coming days and weeks.

“We’ll be working with both clubs and the FA. Those involved in the disorder can expect to receive club bans and wider football banning orders.”

Police said that of the six arrested, four were West Brom fans and two were associated with Wolves. All have since been bailed while investigations continue.

Those arrested were:

:: A 16-year-old held on suspicion of an offensive weapon after he was stopped by officers using Section 60 stop and search powers in a pub before the game.
:: A 29-year-old man arrested for affray after violence in one of the stands.
:: A 24-year-old man arrested for violent disorder after pushing towards officers.
:: A 33-year-old man arrested for violent disorder and assaulting police officers after pushing one officer to the floor and kicking out at another.
:: A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after picking up a corner flag and brandishing it as a weapon.
:: A 58-year-old man arrested for assaulting a police officer after throwing punches at officers.

The Football Association will work with the police and the clubs as it carries out its own investigation into the chaotic scenes, which followed the scoring of Wolves’ second goal by Matheus Cunha.

Some West Brom players were concerned about family members sitting close to the trouble. At least one, Kyle Bartley, went into the crowd to get children out.

Baggies manager Carlos Corberan later confirmed no players’ family members were hurt.

The main disturbance occurred in the corner of the West Stand and the Birmingham Road End, a section which theoretically held only home supporters.

Police and stewards rushed to the area but security also had to be increased on the opposite side of the ground soon after as the atmosphere became increasingly hostile.

There had also been pockets of trouble elsewhere in the ground earlier in the game, which had been designated high risk with increased security and an 11.45am kick-off ordered.

Related items

  • Bayer Leverkusen's 'dream season' down to self-belief – Alonso Bayer Leverkusen's 'dream season' down to self-belief – Alonso

    Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double was the result of players keeping faith in the team throughout what turned into a dream season, so says Xabi Alonso.

    Leverkusen added the Pokal to their Bundesliga crown with a 1-0 victory over second-tier Kaiserslautern.

    Granit Xhaka scored the only goal of the game as he arrowed in from distance in the 16th minute.

    "In the end, to win like that meant we showed spirit, we fought for the fans for the club," said Alonso.

    "It is a huge success to win the double. We will remember this in the future."

    Leverkusen lost only one of 53 matches across all competitions this season, with that sole defeat coming in Wednesday's Europa League final against Atalanta, denying them a treble.

    "The most important thing was the belief of the team. They were ready to battle with 10 players and I am proud of that," Alonso said.

    "I need time to accept what happened this season. It was a dream season and to celebrate the last day like this here is special."

    Leverkusen will be looking to build on their success next season, with Alonso having snubbed the advances of Liverpool and Bayern Munich in order to stay at the club.

  • 'If they don't want me, I'll win trophies somewhere else' – Ten Hag bullish after Man Utd win FA Cup 'If they don't want me, I'll win trophies somewhere else' – Ten Hag bullish after Man Utd win FA Cup

    Erik ten Hag was in a feisty mood as he took on the press following Manchester United's FA Cup triumph, insisting he will win trophies anywhere he goes.

    It was reported on Friday that United had made the decision to sack Ten Hag regardless of whether or not he managed to claim a shock FA Cup win over Manchester City.

    Yet the Dutchman did just that at Wembley on Saturday, with first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo enough to claim a 2-1 victory.

    It is United's first FA Cup success since 2016. On that occasion, Ten Hag's compatriot, Louis van Gaal, was sacked after claiming the trophy.

    And Ten Hag was in no mood to be criticised when he told reporters: "We have to keep going, and I'm not satisfied with it, we have to do better and if they don't want me anymore, then I go will somewhere else to win trophies, because that is what I did my whole career.

    "That is what they always tell me."

    The former Ajax coach subsequently cut short his press conference when it was put to him by a journalist that United, who finished eighth in the Premier League, were still way behind where they should be.

    "Sorry to say this, but you don't have any knowledge about football, about managing a football team," Ten Hag said. "When you don't have the players available, then you can't perform, so simple as that.

    "And if that is the opinion, it is no problem. Then I go anywhere else and I go and keep winning trophies."

    Ten Hag, who waved to the Red Devils' fans at full-time, has now won two trophies with United, having taken them to an EFL Cup triumph last season.

    City manager Pep Guardiola said United must now make a decision.

    "They have to take a decision. He's a lovely person and an extraordinary manager," Guardiola said.

    "Winning the FA Cup is important for them like last season it was for us."

    Reflecting on City's loss, Guardiola said: "Disappointed today, it's normal teams can lose finals but this season has been extraordinary fighting for all the trophies in a good way.

    "We will rest and come back next season."

  • Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis: Bore draw cannot ruin Kroos' goodbye Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis: Bore draw cannot ruin Kroos' goodbye

    Toni Kroos bade an emotional farewell to Real Madrid fans at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu in a 0-0 draw with Real Betis.

    One of Madrid's most decorated players, Kroos confirmed this week that he will be retiring after Euro 2024.

    That made Saturday's meeting with Betis his final LaLiga match for Madrid, who eased to the title this season and will now look ahead to next week's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

    While that clash at Wembley will be Kroos' last in club football, he was able to say goodbye to the Madrid fans, with the match all about the 34-year-old, with nothing left to be decided in the standings.

    Kroos fought back tears as walked onto the pitch through a corridor formed by his team-mates, who were wearing his number eight jersey as the fans held up a giant flag with his face and the words "Thank you, legend" which covered the south stand.

    In the 87th minute, Kroos, who saw a free-kick saved by Betis' Fran Vieites, broke down in tears when, after receiving another standing ovation as he was substituted, he embraced his three children who were all crying on the sidelines.

    The game was stopped for several minutes as Kroos hugged each of his team-mates, as well as coach Carlo Ancelotti.

    Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior went closest to breaking the deadlock for Madrid, while Hector Bellerin missed from a free header for Betis and Thibaut Courtois pulled off some fine saves either side of the break.

    Data Debrief: Kroosing into retirement

    What a career Kroos has had, not only at Madrid, but at Bayern Munich beforehand.

    On his 306th LaLiga appearance, a tally bettered by only one other German (Bernd Schuster, with 316), Kroos bowed out in typical style, having the most touches (122), creating the most chances (three), playing the most passes (110) and completing the most passes (107) of any player on the pitch.

    Madrid might be in safe hands with Jude Bellingham, but Kroos will certainly be missed.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.